who won the new berry medal twice in a row

Lussy04

2 min read

·

23-01-2025

1

0

Share

The Newbery Medal, awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), is one of the most prestigious awards in children's literature. It recognizes the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. While many authors have received the award multiple times, achieving the feat of winning back-to-back Newbery Medals is incredibly rare—a testament to the high standards of the selection process and the competitive nature of the field. So, who has managed this remarkable accomplishment?

The Answer: No One!

The simple answer is that no author has ever won the Newbery Medal twice in a row. The selection process is rigorous, with a panel of judges carefully evaluating hundreds of books each year. The criteria for selection are broad, encompassing literary merit, storytelling, and overall impact on young readers. Winning once is a significant achievement; winning twice consecutively would be unprecedented in the history of the award.

Understanding the Newbery Medal Selection Process

The rarity of multiple Newbery wins underscores the competitiveness of the award and the committee's dedication to honoring diverse voices and exceptional writing. The selection process involves:

• Nominations: Publishers submit eligible books.
• Committee Selection: A committee of volunteer librarians and educators carefully reads and judges the nominated books.
• Judging Criteria: Books are evaluated based on their literary merit, storytelling, and overall contribution to children's literature.
• Secrecy: The selection process is confidential until the winner is announced.

The stringent nature of this process, coupled with the high caliber of books submitted each year, makes a back-to-back win practically impossible.

Notable Multiple Newbery Winners

While no one has won consecutively, several authors have earned the honor multiple times. These authors have left a lasting mark on children's literature with their distinct styles and impactful stories:

• Katherine Paterson: Won twice, for Bridge to Terabithia and Jacob Have I Loved.
• Elizabeth George Speare: Won twice, for The Witch of Blackbird Pond and The Bronze Bow.
• Laura Ingalls Wilder: While not technically a Newbery Medal, she received the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award which is a lifetime achievement award.

These authors' works are considered classics in children's literature, highlighting the incredible talent and dedication required to achieve multiple Newbery wins, even non-consecutive ones.

Conclusion: The Myth of Back-to-Back Wins

The idea of an author winning the Newbery Medal twice in a row is a compelling one. However, the reality is that such a feat has never been accomplished. This speaks to the exceptional quality and diversity of children’s literature and the rigorous process involved in selecting the award's recipient. While multiple wins are impressive achievements, a consecutive win remains firmly in the realm of speculation. The Newbery Medal continues to celebrate the best in children's literature, ensuring the award remains a prestigious honor within the field.